BRALEY IN: Running For Senate Seat

BRALEY IN: Running For Senate Seat

Eastern Iowa congressman Bruce Braley has announced he’ll seek the Senate seat that will be vacated by Tom Harkin at the end of his term in 2014.

Sen. Harkin announced his retirement near the end of January and since, speculation has run wild about who would take his place.

Braley, a Democrat, announced his decision through and e-mail to supporters and on his Facebook page Thursday. He said he is setting up a committee to run for the U.S. Senate.

“Just as Sen Harkin did when he first ran, I’ll need to meet a lot of Iowans outside of my district. I’ll pledge to them, just like the people of Eastern Iowa that I will listen, work hard, and get things done for Iowa’s middle class,” Braley wrote in his e-mail.

Braley just started his fourth term serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Several Republicans have been mentioned as possible candidates as well including Rep. Steve King, Rep. Tom Latham, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, and Bob Vander Plaats.

In a recent survey by Public Policy Polling, Braley came out ahead over all the GOP hopefuls in a hypothetical matchup. Of them, Rep. Steve King came closest to winning but still trailed Braley by 11-percent.